The last weekend in March was Action 2004 weekend, one of our most popular conventions. So it pained us even more, that we were not able to play out the scenario we had planned for due to time constrictions in the weeks leading up to the event. So we had to improvise somewhat. What we did play was a hypothetical World War III scenario that had Russians assaulting a US Marine position somewhere in Lower Saxony, Germany. Most of the Marines (two fire-teams and a command squad) deployed in the trenches dug by the roadside. One fire-team started in their LAV-25 APC. The APC and a TOW carrying LAV-25-AT deployed left of the trenches, while the 4 Force Recon Marines deployed amongst the trees the lined the road on the right side of the trenches.

The Russians on the other hand all decided to deploy in their vehicles.

The squad of Omon Spetsnaz started in their UAZ jeep on the hill opposing the USMC tanks. The Motor Rifles started in their BMP-3, the Conscripts in their BTR-80. Both tanks began on the road.

At the beginning of the game all the vehicles moved forward. The only shots fired came from the LAV-25, that fired its autocannon at the UAZ. While the shots missed, it still did a lot to scare the Omon soldiers.

The next round began with a cracker. The TOW LAV was dealt high card and moved into LOS with the BMP-3, which spelled the end for the Russian tank. The motor rifles on board survived, but huddled around that charred remains of their APC. Scared by the autocannon fire, the UAZ screeched to a halt and the Spetsnaz got out. Their sniper and machinegunner took aim at the Marine Lieutenant in the trenches and fired. One of these shots killed him, which should prove important later on. At the same time the Marine fireteam deployed from the LAV and together with the tank began to kill of the Omon soldiers in return. On the plains the conscripts deployed from their BTR-80 just in time before a Recon Marine took it out with a LAW. The next few rounds saw the number of Russian troopers slowly decline due to US rifle fire. For two rounds the Marines had access to Artillery, but that was not too accurate due to the fact, that the Sergeant now in command of the Marines was not as skilled as his Officer would have been.

One of the conscripts managed to take one of the LAV´s out with his RPG before he met his fate. But he too perished before the Russian reinforcements finally arrived. Unfortunately the Hind never managed to unload his cargo of Paratroopers before it was downed by the sheer amount of fire the Marines directed at it, neither was its fire on target.

While the scenario had an quite unexpected end, it still was great fun and got great feedback.

Now it is on to the next convention where we will hopefully be able to do the game planned for Action. So if you are interested in knowing if a whole platoon of British Warrior MFV with their infantry can take a bridge from the Russians stay tuned! That game too will be played out in 28mm using both Devil Dog Design minis and Imprint Models tanks.

Last I would like to thank Devil Dog Designs and James Houlahan for allowing me to use a playtest version of the Modern Operations rules (for use with Savage Worlds Showdown by Great White Games) for this game.